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The differences between desktop/network supports and help desk analysts can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a desktop/network support and a help desk analyst. Additionally, a desktop/network support has an average salary of $49,480, which is higher than the $37,318 average annual salary of a help desk analyst.
The top three skills for a desktop/network support include customer service, technical support and software applications. The most important skills for a help desk analyst are customer service, troubleshoot, and technical support.
| Desktop/Network Support | Help Desk Analyst | |
| Yearly salary | $49,480 | $37,318 |
| Hourly rate | $23.79 | $17.94 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 119,310 | 87,591 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 46% | Bachelor's Degree, 50% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
A desktop/network support is responsible for assisting end-users and customers on their computer and network issues, performing troubleshooting procedures, and guiding them with the step-by-step resolution. Desktop/network supports handle system configuration and upgrades of network components to increase efficiency and optimal performance. They also identify the source of defects by asking questions and creating support tickets for the users. A desktop/network support must have excellent technical and communication skills, especially in writing resolution reports for reference to avoid the reoccurrence of system malfunctions.
Help Desk Analysts generally provide technical support by assisting customers with their system issues. These analysts are expected to be highly knowledgeable about application processes and basic troubleshooting. Help Desk Analysts usually communicate with end-users through phone calls or e-mail and are required to attend on customers technical issues promptly. Depending on the expertise, the Help Desk Analysts are often categorized to support levels wherein the most complex issues are often handle by the highest tier. The Help Desk Analysts must have critical-thinking skills on solving network problems and document specific concerns and progress.
Desktop/network supports and help desk analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Desktop/Network Support | Help Desk Analyst | |
| Average salary | $49,480 | $37,318 |
| Salary range | Between $35,000 And $68,000 | Between $26,000 And $52,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | Boston, MA |
| Highest paying state | New York | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Visa | Pacific Investment Management Company LLC |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Government |
There are a few differences between a desktop/network support and a help desk analyst in terms of educational background:
| Desktop/Network Support | Help Desk Analyst | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 46% | Bachelor's Degree, 50% |
| Most common major | Business | Computer Information Systems |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between desktop/network supports' and help desk analysts' demographics:
| Desktop/Network Support | Help Desk Analyst | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 77.8% Female, 22.2% | Male, 71.8% Female, 28.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.3% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.1% Asian, 10.6% White, 56.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 12.5% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.1% Asian, 11.1% White, 55.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |